Chromatography!

Spelling/Vocab - Today, the students were introduced to a new spelling/vocabulary list.  In this list, there are many words that use a "y" to make a short i sound.  We discussed the spelling and meaning of the words in class.

Writing-  In writing class today, Ms. Bev taught the students how to write topic sentences, or "power sentences", in expository writing.  Power sentences tell us who, what, how many, where, and when.  They learned how to take a very bland, boring, BLAH sentence, and make it wonderful!  At home, they will be using this skill to revise and edit their paragraphs on the causes of the Civil War.  This is meant to be a single paragraph... which is important, because they will be doing something with this later on! 

The 3A class worked practiced multiplication and division today.  Ms. Jennifer used cards of numbers and operation signs to play a review game with the class.  First, they were given two number cards.  Then, Ms. Jennifer would give them an operation to perform.  After their review, the class learned that they could put the skip counting numbers to song.  They learned the 3's today, which were to the tune of Jingle Bells.  They can also sing the 2's to the tune of Jesus Loves me!

4A class today began with an explanation and review of word problems.  We worked through word problems together, step by step.  The students learned that before they can even begin to worry about the answer, they have to look at what is given in the problem, as well as what the problem is asking you to solve.  Afterward, Ms. Jennifer taught a lesson on mixed fraction.  She gave them each a number line, which showed each whole numbers divided into different fractions.   They are working to label the fractions on the number line as part of their mixed fraction (mixed numeral) lesson.

Spanish- Ms. Rose helped the class review the phrases for good morning, good afternoon, and goodnight.  Then, she explained to the class that, in order to say "It is night", you do not say, "It is good night", which is what the class was trying to do!  They learned to break the phrases they have learned down into parts.  In addition, they learned about indefinite and definite articles.  They also learned the seasons, plugging in the weather terms that they covered last week into the corresponding season.  Ms. Rose explained to the class that they will be taking a review test next week, which will cover all of the material that they learned so far except the seasons that they learned today.

Science-  No, it is not science day today!  However, Ms. Gail's science lab for Thursday needed a preparation lab, because it needs to sit overnight.  So, I helped her out by conducting today's pre-science-science-lab!  To illustrate chromatography, as they have been studying at home, the class observed as I broke open pens of various colors.  The dye was mixed into cups of rubbing alcohol.  Strips of filter paper were suspended into the liquid.  The dye began to rise up the filter paper.  By Thursday, we should have some great results to discuss!

Social Studies-In social studies today, Mr. Dennis led the class through a review exercise on the battles of the Civil War 1861-1865.  Next week is the 12th week of class.  For social studies, this will mean it is time for a review test over the material they have learned so far.  For next week, the kids will need to be sure to bring their history notebooks or folders with them, as they will be able to look back through material during the test. 

Art-  Ms. Nancy picked up where she left off with the class' historical puppet project.  It was a big of a 3 ring circus in here, but a well organized one!  There were groups that were completing their paper mache, groups that were still painting the initial white base color, and some that had begun to add color to their projects.  Afterward, Ms. Nancy explained how the class would be making clothing for their puppets that was appropriate for the time period.  The students chose colors of fabric and learned to stitch them together.  This project is really coming along!